Saturday, December 17, 2011

Holiday Ornament Swap Blog Hop

Even though I'm woefully behind with my to do list this Christmas and Holiday Season, this is truly my favorite time of year. I'm a sentimental and rather sappy gal, and this season brings out these traits in spades, sometimes much to my dismay when I end up weeping over a particular Christmas song or twenty! My dear husband just laughs and shakes his head when he sees this.

As a result of this never-ending sappiness, one of my favorite things to do every year is to decorate the Christmas tree, and I'm always on the lookout for that particular ornament. You know the one, right? That perfect combination of beauty, meaning and that specific "feel"...yep, that's the ornament I want on my tree!

So of course, when Sally Russick, of Wireworked, mentioned that she was thinking of having a Holiday Ornament Swap Hop, I jumped right on that with both feet and big ole splash! I was very excited about the whole thing, and couldn't wait to find out who my partner was!

Turns out, my partner was the wildly talented Mallory Hoffman, who's an awesome lampworker. I was so excited when I realized this - I love lampwork. But then again, who doesn't? Right? Right. ;)

Eagerly, I awaited my package. And when it arrived, the kids and I hurried into the office to open it up and ohh and ahh. And boy, did we all ohh and ahh! Who wouldn't, when this is what they find?

Isn't it just lovely??

The details, and the colors are just so yum!

That hat, with the incredible swirls, and the scarf? Oh wow, I'm just in total awe of what those who play with fire and glass can do!

And of course, I have to show you the ornie on my tree....I do, however, with that my camera liked taking tree pictures better. ::sigh:: Ah well ;) (I should say it's probably me, and not the camera! LOL)

Anyway, thanks so much, Mallory, we all love your sweet little Santa!

And what did I send Mallory, you ask? Here's the ornament I sent to her, which you can also see on her blog:

It's a polymer clay bird that I made, with some lovely SueBeads lampwork, and a Swarovski briolette. Simple. And I hope Mallory liked it!

Would you like to see who else is playing along? Well, here's the Holiday Ornament Swap Hop Partner List!

Oh, I love him!!! He looks like Christmas candy and fun and whimsy all rolled into one happy package! And the ornament you made is so quietly beautiful and just very reminiscent of a very cold winter's walk through the snow with just the sweet but hardy birds of winter keeping you company :-) Love it! The song was a riot!!!

I love the polymer bird! Your ornament is simply elegant! I think it is just gorgeous! The cute little snowman you received is just wonderful as well :) What treasures you two have exchanged!

I am with you, Holly, I adore this season and it makes me super sappy too :) This year has been a rough one for me, but I refuse to give up my love of the season! I put on my favorite Christmas movie yesterday, White Christmas, and it made me feel much better :)

Holly, my closet is finally finished, and I am now blog hopping! I love your beautiful ornament! I was so thrilled when I received it! Can you imagine me jumping up and down like a little girl! Believe me, that was the scene at my house! My children are both grown but if they had seen me the would have simply said, "That's Mom and she's happy!" I love the ornament!!!!!!! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

I too love the holiday season. I start playing Christmas starting Nov 1st and don't stop until December 31st. It's so fleeting and I try to make the most of it and start a little earlier with getting into the holiday spirit. Both ornaments are just amazing. I love the bird you made for Mallory and also Sue's bead that you used in the design of the ornament. I also love the glass snowman Mallory made for you!!

I love the holiday season also! I start listening to holiday music Nov 1st and don't stop until Dec 31st. It's so fleeting that I want to make the most of it. Now, the ornaments are stunning. I love the bird ornament you made Mallory and the glass snowman ornament she made you. I can just picture them on the tree!

Oh how sweet! I love snowmen. This little snowman melts my heart. I am in awe of those who work with glass! And your little birdie is so cute. What a great way to spread the cheer of Christmas!Enjoy the day!Erin

Holly, That is the cutest little Snowman I have ever seen and it looks right at home hanging on your tree. I love the ornament that you sent to Mallory very pretty and could be hung up to see all year round.Merry Christman,Therese

That snowman ornament is so very cool. It sounds like you and the kiddos will really enjoy it.As far as what you created. . .wow, the white and crispness of it gives it such an elegant feel, wonderfully done!!Merry Christmas!!